Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion

Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion, commonly abbreviated as CLC, was a Welsh publishing company established in 1954. Its name translates broadly as “Ceredigion Book Society,” reflecting its strong regional identity and its role in publishing material connected with Ceredigion, a county in west Wales. The company also developed a notable list of Welsh-language children's books, combining original writing with adaptations for young readers. The publisher operated within the Welsh-language cultural and educational publishing ecosystem. Its regional publishing programme addressed subjects and interests associated with Ceredigion, while its children's list helped make Welsh-language reading material available to younger audiences. The company became particularly associated with books featuring Sali Mali and her friends. Sali Mali was originally created by author Mary Vaughan Jones and illustrated by Rowena Wyn Jones, and the character became one of the best-known figures in Welsh children's publishing. CLC's publications based on the character formed an important part of the company's popular output. Around 1974, Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion acquired Teldisc Ltd, a Welsh company. The transaction broadened CLC's activities beyond its earlier publishing identity, although the available reference material does not provide detailed information about Teldisc's operations after the acquisition or the precise commercial structure of the deal. CLC's work received recognition in the Publishing Industry Awards, Wales. In 2005, Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm, written by Dylan Williams and illustrated by Gordon Jones, was recognised as a children's bestseller. In 2007, Hogan Mam, Babi Jam received the award for Best Christmas Book Cover Design, while Y Golygiadur received the Design and Production award; the latter was associated with Rhiannon Ifans. These honours indicate that the company was recognised not only for sales but also for book design and production quality. Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion ended as an independent publishing entity in 2009, when it was bought by Gwasg Gomer, another Welsh publisher. The acquisition marked the close of CLC's separate corporate history. Its significance remains connected to regional Welsh publishing, Welsh-language children's literature, and the circulation of culturally specific books for readers in Wales.

Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion was founded in 1954 as a Welsh publishing venture associated with Ceredigion. Its name expresses both its geographic connection and its book-oriented mission. The company published works of interest to the county and became part of the wider infrastructure supporting Welsh-language publishing. A significant part of its catalogue consisted of children's books in Welsh. The list included both original works and adaptations, allowing the publisher to serve young readers while also making stories and formats accessible within a Welsh-language setting. CLC became particularly known for publications based on Sali Mali and her friends. The character had originally been created by writer Mary Vaughan Jones and illustrator Rowena Wyn Jones, and the books helped establish a recognisable children's publishing identity for the company. Approximately two decades after its establishment, CLC expanded through the purchase of Teldisc Ltd, a Welsh company, around 1974. The available historical account records the acquisition but does not provide sufficient detail to describe Teldisc's financial position, management, catalogue, or subsequent integration. It nevertheless represents the clearest documented corporate expansion in CLC's history. The publisher continued to produce books for Welsh readers into the 2000s. Its catalogue included the children's title Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm, associated with Dylan Williams and Gordon Jones, and the titles Hogan Mam, Babi Jam and Y Golygiadur. Recognition at the Publishing Industry Awards, Wales demonstrated the breadth of its work. Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm was named a Children's Bestseller in 2005. In 2007, Hogan Mam, Babi Jam was recognised for Best Christmas Book Cover Design, while Y Golygiadur received an award for Design and Production, with Rhiannon Ifans associated with the latter achievement. CLC's independent existence ended in 2009. Gwasg Gomer bought the company, bringing Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion to an end as a separate publisher. The available sources do not establish which specific imprints, titles, staff, or rights were transferred, so those details remain undocumented here. Historically, CLC is best understood as a regional Welsh publishing house whose importance lay in combining local subject matter with Welsh-language children's publishing.

• 2009

  Gwasg Gomer buys the publisher

  [1]Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org

  CLC comes to an end as an independent publisher after its acquisition by Gwasg Gomer.

• 2007

  CLC titles win design-related publishing awards

  [1]Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org

  Hogan Mam, Babi Jam wins Best Christmas Book Cover Design, and Y Golygiadur wins the Design and Production award.

• 2005

  Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm receives children's bestseller recognition

  [1]Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org

  The title by Dylan Williams and Gordon Jones is recognised at the Publishing Industry Awards, Wales.

• 1974

  Acquisition of Teldisc Ltd

  [1]Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org

  Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion buys the Welsh company Teldisc Ltd, broadening its corporate activities.

• 1954

  Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion is established

  [1]Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org

  The Welsh publishing company is founded to publish books connected with Ceredigion and Welsh-language material.

A regional Welsh publisher with a strong focus on Ceredigion-related subjects and Welsh-language children's literature.

• Welsh-language children's books

  Sali Mali and friends

  A group of children's publications based on Sali Mali and her friends. The character was created by author Mary Vaughan Jones and illustrated by Rowena Wyn Jones. These books were among CLC's most popular publications and helped define its profile in Welsh-language children's publishing.

• Welsh-language children's book

  Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm

  A children's title associated with writer Dylan Williams and illustrator Gordon Jones. It was recognised as a Children's Bestseller at the 2005 Publishing Industry Awards, Wales.

• Children's book

  Hogan Mam, Babi Jam

  A CLC children's publication recognised in 2007 for its Christmas book cover design at the Publishing Industry Awards, Wales.

• Book

  Y Golygiadur

  A title published by CLC that received the Design and Production award at the 2007 Publishing Industry Awards, Wales. The available source associates the work with Rhiannon Ifans.

• 2009

  Sale to Gwasg GomerM&A

  Background

  After more than five decades of publishing, CLC ceased to exist as an independent company.

  Action taken

  Gwasg Gomer bought Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition brought the publisher's separate corporate history to an end. The available sources do not specify the treatment of individual titles, employees, or publishing rights.

  Source

• 1974

  Purchase of Teldisc LtdM&A

  Background

  CLC expanded its corporate activities by acquiring the Welsh company Teldisc Ltd around 1974.

  Action taken

  Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion bought Teldisc Ltd.

  Aftermath

  The available reference confirms the acquisition but does not describe its financial terms, management consequences, or long-term operational impact.

  Source

1. 1Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigionen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Archives Network Walesarchivesnetworkwales.info